Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Tenzing Norgay, was the first man to reach the summit of Everest, is questioning the ethics of climbers on Everest, and in particular, the decision to leave someone to die on the mountain. According to this article, Hillary has taken shots at climbers, saying that "We would never just leave him to die", referring to British climber David Sharp, who died due to a lack of oxygen, while in the "death zone" on Everest. Hillary even calls out Mark Inglis, the double amputee who recently found the summit, for not helping the man. He goes on to say that the attitude of climbing Everest has become one in which the climbers want to make it to the top at any cost, and it's causing too many people to die there.
I respect Hillary. He's a great man, and has done a lot of good things, aside from being the first man to reach the top, but I have to disagree with him on the aspect of helping others while in the Death Zone. Above 8000 meters, you're basically dying slowly over time. You have a limited window to reach the summit and get back down, and it's hard enough just to keep yourself alive. Helping someone else, may result in two (or more!) deaths. I do agree with him that things have gotten a little crowded and crazy on the mountain. The commercialization of Everest has made it a dangerous place, but climbers also need to be aware of the risks they are taking by being there. It's a tough situation. Everyone wants to help others, but they know that it may be the death of themselves or their team. As long as people continue to climb above 8000 meters, this will continue to be an issue.
I respect Hillary. He's a great man, and has done a lot of good things, aside from being the first man to reach the top, but I have to disagree with him on the aspect of helping others while in the Death Zone. Above 8000 meters, you're basically dying slowly over time. You have a limited window to reach the summit and get back down, and it's hard enough just to keep yourself alive. Helping someone else, may result in two (or more!) deaths. I do agree with him that things have gotten a little crowded and crazy on the mountain. The commercialization of Everest has made it a dangerous place, but climbers also need to be aware of the risks they are taking by being there. It's a tough situation. Everyone wants to help others, but they know that it may be the death of themselves or their team. As long as people continue to climb above 8000 meters, this will continue to be an issue.